Storage and dispenser units

ABSTRACT

The embodiments described provide storage and dispenser units particularly suited to store and dispense baby food jars. The units have at least one containing and dispensing member with a top end and a dispensing end, with the dispensing end comprising an adjustable access portion adapted to dispense items of variable heights and/or sizes. The unit may have a plurality of containing and dispensing members and is typically adapted to be mounted to an appropriate surface or to be provided on a swivel base.

BACKGROUND

Storing and dispensing items that are used daily can often present organizational challenges. For example, in houses with infants or small children, cabinets and drawers are often filled or stacked with numerous jars of baby food. The jars tend to create high towers that can topple over easily and create a mess. In such instances, falling jars also present a safety hazard. Baby food jars also tend to crowd cabinets, make it difficult to locate other items in the cabinet, and present a challenge to finding a particular brand, flavor, or type of baby food that is located at the back or the bottom of the stack. It is also likely that baby food jars accumulate on countertops and other surfaces of the home, causing unnecessary clutter.

Another example of a similar organizational challenge is presented by storing and dispensing cans of cat or dog food. As with baby food, consumers typically purchase many cans at a time, which results in the canned food crowding and filling cabinets, making storage and retrieval irritating.

There is thus a need to provide a storing and dispensing unit that easily stores and dispenses various similarly-shaped items. It is preferable that the storing and dispensing unit compactly store items, allow ease of viewing of the items, allow easy access to items, but also safeguard items from toppling over or becoming disorganized.

One challenge associated with providing such a storage and dispensing unit is that many items to be stored are not uniform in size, such as height. For example, while round and generally the same circumference and diameter, baby food jars are typically provided in varying heights or sizes, depending upon the type or quantity of food. Different sizes are provided so that an entire portion for a single meal for a child of a certain age is contained within one jar. Smaller jars are provided for infants, and larger jars are provided for toddlers. (This sizing scheme prevents the caretaker from having to reheat or sterilize any unused portion for later use or from wasting unused portions of food contained in a jar too large for the child's age and appetite. It also saves packaging materials because a larger jar can contain enough food for a toddler rather than having to open two smaller jars.)

Similar sizing features are provided with cat and dog food cans. Cat food is typically provided in smaller cans and dog food in larger cans. If a household has a cat and a dog, the stacking of the variously-sized cans can present numerous space and organizational challenges.

The present invention provides various embodiments of storage and dispenser units that seek to alleviate these organizational challenges. The storage and dispenser units can accommodate items of various sizes, allow ease of access to the items, can be adjustable based on size needs of the household, and can be provided in clear material to allow ease of viewing of items.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides storage and dispenser units for containing and dispensing various items. In specific embodiments, the units are adapted to store and dispense similarly-shaped items having different sizes and/or heights, such as baby food jars. Most baby food jars are circularly-shaped, although they are often provided in graduated heights. Although the jars are typically provided with similarly-shaped diameters, baby food manufacturers commonly provide jars having graduated heights, containing larger servings. However, the storage of a plurality of jars, and particularly jars having different sizes, is cumbersome. It is not uncommon for caretakers to have cabinets full of mismatched, unorganized baby food jars.

Thus, the present invention seeks to provide storage and dispenser units to help solve these organizational problems. Various embodiments of the storage and dispenser units described have at least one containing and dispensing member comprising a top end and a dispensing end with the dispensing end comprising an adjustable access portion adapted to dispense items of variable sizes and/or heights. In one embodiment, there is provided a plurality of containing and dispensing members in a single unit for mounting to an appropriate vertical surface. In a further embodiment, a plurality of containing and dispensing members may be provided on a swivel base adapted to be placed on a countertop or other horizontal surface so that the carousel can be swiveled for ease of storing containers and locating specific containers when desired.

Further embodiments according to certain aspects of the invention provide for viewing of the contents stored within the storage and dispenser unit. Additionally or alternatively, the containing and dispensing member(s) are formed of an at least partially transparent material to allow at least partial viewing of the contents stored within.

The adjustable access portion according to certain aspects of the invention may include a door or a slide that is adjustable to accommodate variously shaped items for storage and dispensing. The adjustable access portion may be activated and/or secured by a lock, a slide, a magnetic portion, a latch, a hook, hook and latch material, such as Velcro™, or any other suitable method for securing the access portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of various alternate embodiments of a storage container and dispenser unit according to certain aspects of the present invention with various options shown on a single drawing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a storage container and dispenser unit according to another aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a storage and dispenser unit 10 according to certain aspects of the invention. As described above, the storage and dispenser unit 10 can be used to store and dispense any of a variety of items. The following description will focus on the storage and dispensing of baby food jars, although it is understood that the storage and dispenser unit 10 could be used in connection with any array of items, such as cat and dog food cans, pharmaceuticals, make-up, beverage cans, diapers, and any other items that present a storage challenge for home, commercial, or retail use.

Storage and dispenser unit 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as having a plurality of containing and dispensing members 12. This allows the enhanced organizational feature of loading each containing and dispensing member 12 with a certain type of food or a certain sized jar. Containing and dispensing members 12 are shown as being tubular in order to accommodate tubular baby food jars, although the shape of containing and dispensing member 12 is dictated by the items to be contained, and may be oval, square, rectangular, triangular, octagonal, or any other appropriate shape to fit the desired item to be stored.

If storage and dispenser unit 10 is provided to store and dispense baby food, it is preferable that the diameters of containing and dispensing members 12 be approximately ______ cm to ______ cm, which currently is the standard diameter used in the industry. It is understood, however, that the preferable diameter may change as the industry standards change. The containing and dispensing members 12 may be only high enough to store 2 baby food jars or high enough to store up to 20 or more baby food jars apiece.

Containing and dispensing member 12 may be provided of any material, although plastic is perhaps most practical and cost-effective. In one specific embodiment, containing and dispensing member 12 is provided in transparent plastic in order to facilitate viewing of the items contained within. Alternatively, if containing and dispensing member 12 is not transparent, viewing opening 40 may be provided in any shape or length. A longitudinal viewing opening 40 is preferable because it allows the user to view all contents within the containing and dispensing member 12 at once. (Viewing opening 40 may be particularly provided in instances in which the manufacturer desires to save material.) A non-transparent or semi-transparent unit 10 may be provided in instances in which the consumer wishes to coordinate a colored unit 10 with an accent color to match it surroundings.

Each containing and dispensing member 12 has a top end 14 and a dispensing end 16. Top end 14 is typically open (although a cover or lid may be provided), and in use, the user places cans, jars, or other items to be stored into top end 14. The can or jar will slide down to dispensing end 16. The user can continue placing items until containing and dispensing member 12 is full.

Alternatively, and particularly if the containing and dispensing member 12 is tall, the user may wish to load unit 10 from dispensing end 16. In this case, the user may open or otherwise activate adjustable access portion 18 and insert items from dispensing end 16, raising the previously-placed item in order to load another item.

In some embodiments, top end 14 may be closed with a top end lid (not shown) that may be hinged, snapped, locked, or otherwise closed in order to provide a more finished appearance to storage and dispenser unit 10, to prevent the accumulation of dust, and/or to prevent access to the unit by insects.

Dispensing end 16 is provided with an adjustable access portion 18. Adjustable access portion 18 allows storage and dispenser unit 10 to accommodate variously-sized items. Adjustable access portion 18 may have a handle 44, a grip, a slide, a knob 46, a pull, a roughened portion, or any other feature that allows it to be activated to dispense a single item or more. The activating feature may be decorative or non-decorative. For the sake of illustration, FIG. 1 shows containing and dispensing members 12 having a plurality of different activating features, such as knob 46, latch 36, or handle 44, although a single type may be used for consistency if desired. Once adjustable access portion 18 is activated, the user can remove one or more of the desired items and then close adjustable access portion 18 for safe-keeping of the remaining items.

In certain embodiments, adjustable access portion 18 is a slide 22 that can slide up-or-down or side-to-side. The slide 22 retracts into the containing and dispensing member 12. Slide 22 may also be provided with an adjustable lock that allows the door to remain open at a certain height in order to accommodate differently-sized jars or cans. The adjustable lock may turn to tighten and secure slide 22 against containing and dispensing member 12, it may be a notch and indent feature which secures slide 22 at a particular location, or any other feature that allows the adjustable movement and locking of slide 22.

Alternatively, adjustable access portion 18 may be a door, such as a multi-piece door 20 that can open only at its lower portion 21 to accommodate smaller jars and that can also open entirely to accommodate larger jars. Again, for the sake of illustration, FIG. 1 shows containing and dispensing members 12 having a plurality of different adjustable access portions 18, such as slide 22 and door 20, although a single type of adjustable access portion 18 may be used for consistency if desired.

Door 20 and slide 22 may be locked in any appropriate fashion or may remain unlocked. If a user wants to prevent access to storage and dispenser unit 10 completely, a key lock may be provided. Alternatively, if closure is desired simply to maintain the items from sliding out, a slide, a magnetic portion, a latch 36, hook, hook and latch material (such as Velcro™), or any other appropriate locking mechanism may be used.

Storage and dispenser unit 10 may be mounted to a wall, displayed on a swivel base, or simply positioned or mounted inside a cabinet. For mounting, any appropriate mounting feature 26 may be used, for example, a mounting bracket, sticky tape, a screw eye, or a hole in the unit for receiving a nail or a screw. If the storage and dispenser unit 10 is displayed on a swivel base 28 as shown in FIG. 2, the containing and dispensing members 12 are provided in a circular configuration and mounted to the swivel base 28, such as a lazy susan. Swivel base 28 preferably has a handle 30 so that the user can easily browse the items contained in the storage and dispenser unit 10, similar to a rotating spice rack.

Storage and dispenser unit 10 may also be provided with additional features to store and contain items connected with the items being stored. For example, for the baby food jar embodiment, storage and dispenser unit 10 may have a spoon holder, a peg for positioning a baby's bib or burp cloth, and/or a napkin holder.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows a plurality of containing and dispensing members 12 integrally formed and attached to one another. The containing and dispensing members 12 may be extruded as tubular forms and individually adhered to one another, or alternatively, the storage and dispenser unit 10 may be formed as a one-piece unit. The containing and dispensing members 12 may form the base of the storage and dispenser unit 10 itself, or alternatively, the containing and dispensing members 12 may be mounted to a platform 38 that in turn is mountable.

Storage and dispenser unit 10 may be provided as a single unit and sold pre-assembled. Alternatively, it may be provided as individual pieces that are to be assembled by the end-user, for example, to accommodate user preferences for varying heights and/or widths of the unit. In some embodiments, additional containing and dispensing members 12 may be purchased and added on to the base unit 10. Attachment of additional containing and dispensing members 12 may be effectuated by hooks, clips, tape, screws, glue, or any other appropriate method. Alternatively, the swivel embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may be provided with replaceable containing and dispensing members 12 that can be taller to provide more storage or shorter for storage under a cabinet.

The particular embodiments of the invention described above are merely illustrative and are not the only embodiments possible. Those skilled in the art can readily identify additional embodiments and features of the invention that are within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage and dispenser unit, comprising: at least one containing and dispensing member comprising a top end and a dispensing end; the dispensing end comprising an adjustable access portion adapted to dispense items of variable sizes.
 2. The storage and dispenser unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one containing and dispensing member is at least partially transparent in order to provide viewing of contents stored within.
 3. The storage and dispenser unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one containing and dispensing member comprises a viewing opening adapted to provide viewing of contents stored within.
 4. The storage and dispenser unit of claim 1, wherein the adjustable access portion comprises a door or a slide.
 5. The storage and dispenser unit of claim 1, further comprising a handle, a grip, a slide, a knob, a pull, or a roughened portion for activating the adjustable access portion such that once the adjustable access portion is activated, one or more items can be removed from the storage and dispenser unit.
 6. The storage and dispenser unit of claim 1, wherein the adjustable access portion is activated or secured by a key lock, a slide, a magnetic portion, a latch, hook, or hook and latch material.
 7. The storage and dispenser unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one mounting feature.
 8. The storage and dispenser unit of claim 7, wherein the at least one mounting feature comprises a mounting bracket, sticky tape, a screw eye, or a hole in the unit for receiving a nail or a screw.
 9. The storage and dispenser unit of claim 1, further comprising a swivel base.
 10. The storage and dispenser unit of claim 9, further comprising a handle for turning the storage and dispenser unit on the swivel base.
 11. The storage and dispenser unit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of containing and dispensing members, each member adapted to contain and dispense a plurality of similarly-shaped items.
 12. A baby food jar storage and dispenser unit, comprising: (a) at least one containing and dispensing member comprising a top end and a dispensing end, wherein the at least one containing and dispensing member is adapted to allow at least partial viewing of baby food jars; and (b) the dispensing end comprising an adjustable access portion adapted to adjust to variable sizes of different baby food jars.
 13. The baby food jar storage and dispenser unit of claim 12, further comprising: (c) one or more display features adapted to (i) affix the baby food jar storage and dispenser unit to an appropriate surface or adapted to (ii) swivel the baby food jar storage and dispenser unit on a countertop.
 14. The baby food jar storage and dispenser unit of claim 13, wherein the one or more display features comprise at least one mounting bracket, sticky tape, a hole in the unit for receiving a nail or a screw, or a swivel base.
 15. The baby food jar storage and dispenser unit of claim 12, wherein the adjustable access portion comprises a multi-piece door or a slide.
 16. The baby food jar storage and dispenser unit of claim 12, further comprising at least one additional feature adapted to store and contain items connected with feeding a baby.
 17. The baby food jar storage and dispenser unit of claim 16, wherein the at least one additional feature comprises a spoon holder, a peg for positioning a baby's bib or burp cloth, or a napkin holder.
 18. A method of containing and dispensing baby food jars, comprising: providing a baby food jar storage and dispenser unit comprising a top end and a dispensing end with an adjustable access portion; inserting baby food jars into the top end of the dispensing end; removing baby food jars from the dispensing end; wherein the adjustable access portion is adjustable to accommodate varying sizes of baby food jars. 